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Written by colin newell
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Wednesday, 20 August 2008 |
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. Or so the classic AC-DC song goes. The same could be said for quality home espresso in your kitchen - but it is not entirely true.
Truth is, there are more ways to brew great coffee on the cheap. And I know cheap. And although one can brew a pretty bad-ass cup of drip, or French, or Stove-top, or Aeropress for a few dozen dollars... if you really and I mean really want to get into real espresso, the shock could be on the sticker.
And for those just joining us, a quick overview: Espresso coffee machines break down into a trio of options - The under 400 and over 99 dollar group, the 400 to 900 dollar cluster and the over $1250 set... also known as the Good, the Bad and the Ugly...
And that's just from your wallet's perspective!
Not surpisingly, in about 14 years of gathering data about peoples spending habits, there is a clear preference for spending as little as possible on espresso coffee for the home. That said, as times and economies have changed, and as people have become more saavy about specialty coffee - the expectations of the average person have taken one big uptick.
But know this: Expectations cost money. Be prepared.
Ok. Summary. Most people buy home espresso machines priced under 400 dollars. Fair enough. Lots of people have machines that they are not entirely happy with too. The next tier of buyers spend slightly more on their machine and then a small chunk of change on a good grinder (grinders--learn more).
So. Where does happiness begin? Well. Interesting thing: The single most popular espresso-cappuccino combo, the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine and Rancilio Rocky grinder fall into that no-man's land between 600 and 1000 dollars.
Rephrasing: Anyone that knows anything about great espresso-cappuccino (and a lot of people that do not) recognize the Rancilio as the machine to buy if you are serious.
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Written by colin newell
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
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One step beyond the Rancilio Silvia
There are two distinct buying groups in intermediate specialty coffee and home espresso - the UNDER $1000 group and the over $1000 group...
And the < $1000 group are actually really interested in buying a great espresso machine and a suitable grinder for well under one thousand dollars.
And based on all the e-mail I get, the under thou crowd buy a Rancilio Silvia and a Rancilio Rocky grinder. I kid you not. After all these years, this is the still the best selling combo of all time.
So. If you were a manufacturer and wanted to catch the people flirting with parting with more than a thousand bones, what would you do?
Well - the upstart manufacturer thought about it (long and hard apparently) and came up with the VTech Uno dual boiler espresso machine.
It is a pretty simple formula overall - Use the Rancilio Silvia as an example (the machine that everyone buys...) and figure out how to really improve upon it while keeping it reasonably affordable.
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Written by colin newell
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Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
The trouble with progress is that it is an unstoppable juggernaut. I could easily spend several days a week reviewing all that is new in coffee World - just concentrating on the familiar and improvements to what I am most comfortable with. But then I would miss the really new stuff - and the truly innovative.
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Written by colin newell
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Monday, 31 March 2008 |
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If I were to make a quick assessment and boil down specialty coffee enthusiasts to two distinct groups (if such a thing is practical, reasonable or possible...)... |
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Written by colin newell
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Tuesday, 18 March 2008 |
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I spend a lot of time in cafes... of all shapes and sizes. I also work on a University campus - that has numerous cafes and lounges.
And there is a common list of ingredients in University, College and City Cafes:
Hot coffee. Students. And expensive lap-top computers. |
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Written by Colin
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Saturday, 16 February 2008 |
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Home, Office and Beyond!
Whether I am walking through Whistler village, future home of the 2010 Olympic games, downtown Vancouver, Victoria or the University campus where I work, it is always the same: Someone stops me to ask...
"Colin! I love your website and I have a couple of questions..." |
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Subject: Re:Galileo Coffee is Britannia Beach, BC - by: colin
shame on me - I have driven by a couple of times...
Will pop up this Spring... 2009.
Thanks!...
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Subject: Galileo Coffee is Britannia Beach, BC - by: jerblumel
What are peoples opinions on Galileo Coffee, a small Roastery Cafe just south of Squamish in the little town of Britannia Beach on Highway 99? I've really enjoyed the Howes Blend that they use in thei...
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Subject: Re:Help: Cafe Roma vs. Starbucks Sirena - by: mattabi528
The Breville was my first machine. It has been a good machine no complaints. When you are ready, move up but you did not make a mistake. I can make a Mocha that will bring tears to your eye's with min...
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Subject: Re:The Victoria area Homeroasters Guild - by: colin
Buy the Book by Kenneth Davids...
Here is a forum to check on......
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Subject: Re:The Victoria area Homeroasters Guild - by: direct00
I'm pretty keen to try roasting for the first time. Getting pretty good at pulling espresso shots finally, and would love to figure out what it takes to roast great tasting beans :)...
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Subject: Re:Saeco Incanto RS displeasure... - by: meshie
Yea... it's been a headache, and that is understated, to say the least. Tonight, one of their reps came by to look at the machine and offer me some solutions. He was very nice. He actually said for th...
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Subject: Re:Saeco Incanto RS displeasure... - by: colin
Your blog - is an awesome read and I suggest everyone have a good look before they drop a 1000 bones on one of these lumps of plastic....
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Subject: Re:Saeco Incanto RS displeasure... - by: meshie
Saeco Incanto, in general, is garbage. We've had ongoing problems with ours (that you can see at the web link in my profile).
Have you had the machine serviced at all? Or just a call to ask if the...
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Subject: Newco OCS-8 versus OCS-12 - by: HRR
Based on all the discussion and reviews, I am looking to buy either the 8 cup or the 12 cup model. Since the physical size of the units (other than the pot, of course) seems to be exactly the same, i...
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Subject: Re:Help: Cafe Roma vs. Starbucks Sirena - by: Bobby
Since you've posted in the $400 I'd say return the Breville and get a single boiler machine.
In this price range you can easily get an entry level Saeco or Gaggia, or a lesser known name like Moki...
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